Did you note when this supposedly all began? Vatican II???
You are so right. But I’m starting to believe that it really will be happening.
Our priest has told us that Pope Benedict has instructed them to start catechizing their parishes on this. Our priest did one a week or so ago — on the words “this sacrifice, yours and mine” after the presentation of the bread and wine. I’ll see if I can find it.
A summary of some of the changes:
• First of all, Latin orations, especially the post-Communion orations, tend to conclude strongly with a teleological or eschatological point. The new translations in English follow the sequence of these Latin prayers in order to end on a strong note.
• Secondly, in the new translation, there is a deliberate attempt to pass on the biblical references imbedded in the Roman Rite.
• Thirdly, the new translations are careful to keep the allusions from patristic writings. Two examples will suffice to illustrate this. Ex pede Herculem!
• Fourth, the new translation respects the rich vocabulary of the Roman rite. The post-Communion prayers employ a variety of words such as nourished, fed, recreated, and made new. The collects use words such as: we pray, we beseech, we ask.
• Fifth, the Latin text is cast in concrete images and parallelism. The Latin uses anthropomorphic expressions that add a certain poetry to the prayers.
• Sixth, within the new translation, there is a concern for an exactness of vocabulary.
• Seventh, the Latin prayers are concise and noble in tone. When we frame our prayers in liturgy, the language of the street is not appropriate. The vocabulary of the person in the supermarket, in the gym or around the kitchen table should not be the standard for liturgical language.